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What Is an SBOM? FDA Requirements for Medical Devices (2025 Guide)
A Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) is a machine-readable inventory of every software component in your device—proprietary, OTS, and...
Jul 9, 20259 min read


What Is cGMP for Medical Devices? QSR Today, QMSR in 2026
In FDA device world, “ cGMP ” obligations are implemented via the Quality System Regulation (21 CFR 820) . On Feb 2, 2026 , FDA’s Quality...
Jul 9, 20257 min read


What Is ISO 13485? QMSR 2026 Compliance Guide for Medical Devices
ISO 13485 is the international QMS standard for medical devices. In the U.S., FDA’s QMSR takes effect Feb 2, 2026 , incorporating ISO...
Jul 8, 20256 min read


What Is Substantial Equivalence (SE) in FDA 510(k)? Definition & Criteria
In 510(k) , substantial equivalence (SE) means your device has the same intended use as a predicate and either the same tech...
Jul 4, 20256 min read


What Is an RTA Hold? FDA 510(k) Acceptance Review (2025 Guide)
An RTA hold happens when a 510(k) fails FDA’s acceptance review and is not accepted for substantive review; you then have 180 days...
Jul 4, 20256 min read


What Is FDA's eSTAR? Electronic Submission Template Guide 2025
eSTAR is FDA’s interactive PDF template that structures medical-device submissions in the same layout reviewers use, with built-in...
Jul 3, 20257 min read


What Is an FDA Pre-Submission (Q-Sub)? Complete 2025 Guide
An FDA Pre-Submission (Q-Sub) is a voluntary way to get FDA feedback—by written response and/or a meeting—before or during an IDE,...
Jul 2, 20258 min read


Humanitarian Device Exemption (HDE): 2025 FDA Guide
An HDE is a marketing application for a Humanitarian Use Device (HUD) —a device intended to treat/diagnose a condition that affects or...
Jul 1, 20257 min read


What Is an IDE? FDA Investigational Device Exemption Guide 2025
An Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) lets an unapproved or new-use device be used in a U.S. clinical study to collect...
Jun 26, 20256 min read


What Is FDA's Breakthrough Devices Program? Complete 2025 Guide
The FDA Breakthrough Devices Program gives truly novel, life-saving technologies a faster lane through 510(k), De Novo or PMA review. As...
Jun 25, 20256 min read


Top Reasons SaMD 510(k)s Get AI Letters (and How to Fix Them)
Most SaMD 510(k)s hit a first-cycle Additional Information (AI) letter , not a final rejection. The recurring issues: missing...
Jun 24, 20257 min read


FDA De Novo Pathway Explained: The Complete 2025 Guide
The De Novo pathway provides marketing authorization for novel, low–to–moderate-risk devices without a predicate , creating a new...
Jun 23, 20256 min read


Pre-market Approval (PMA) Explained: The Complete 2025 Guide
Premarket Approval (PMA) is FDA’s most rigorous pathway, used for most Class III devices (those that support/sustain life, prevent...
Jun 20, 20259 min read


FDA 510(k) Clearance Explained: How It Works (2025 Guide)
A 510(k) premarket notification is how most moderate-risk devices show substantial equivalence to a legally marketed predicate . If...
Jun 19, 20257 min read


510(k) vs De Novo vs PMA: How to Choose the Right Pathway (2025)
Choosing an FDA pathway hinges on risk, novelty, and predicates. Use 510(k) when a suitable predicate exists for the same intended use...
Jun 12, 20254 min read


Clinical Evidence for SaMD: Valid Association, Analytical & Clinical Validation
To structure SaMD clinical evidence, build three pillars: valid clinical association (link SaMD output to the condition), analytical...
Jun 10, 20253 min read


FDA Software Validation 2025: What Evidence to Show
In 2025, FDA reviews a risk-based software evidence package per the Device Software Functions (DSF) guidance: choose Basic or Enhanced...
Jun 5, 20252 min read


Documenting AI-Enabled SaMD: What FDA’s Jan 2025 Draft Expects
FDA’s Jan 7, 2025 draft for AI-enabled device software functions recommends including: model description, dataset lineage/partitions...
Jun 3, 20253 min read


FDA SaMD Cybersecurity (2025): §524B, SBOM, Testing & eSTAR
In June 2025 FDA finalized its cybersecurity guidance and clarified §524B obligations for “ cyber devices .” For SaMD that connects to...
May 29, 20253 min read


IEC 62304 + ISO 14971 for SaMD: How to Integrate Lifecycle & Risk
Integrate IEC 62304 (software lifecycle) with ISO 14971 (risk management) by mapping hazards → requirements → design → tests →...
May 27, 20253 min read
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